Keith Wyness criticises Manchester United for mishandling Højlund and McTominay
Manchester United’s transfer record has again drawn scrutiny. This time, the revival of Rasmus Højlund and Scott McTominay at Napoli exposes fresh concerns, and the story feels familiar. Players leave Old Trafford under a cloud, then shine brighter elsewhere.
This pattern keeps haunting the club. Keith Wyness, the former chief executive of Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen, recently voiced the same concern. Speaking on Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness said that Højlund’s resurgence in Italy shows how poorly United manage their players.
He explained how both McTominay and Højlund have found new energy and confidence in Naples. They now perform as a strong duo that United desperately needed, or still need. He pointed out that if the pair had not worn United’s shirt before, the club would probably try to buy them now.
Wyness blamed the club for using good players in the wrong way rather than signing poor ones. The systems at Old Trafford never suited their strengths. The coaches did not give either player the time they needed to grow into their roles.
“It’s just another example of things Man United have got wrong.
“You’re looking at McTominay and Hojlund doing really well for Napoli, getting great new leases of life and performing well together. United would have killed for that sort of duo right now.
“If they hadn’t been at United before, United would be looking to buy them right now. So yes, it’s another symptom of things that aren’t going right.
“There’s a lot of cast-offs from United that will turn out to be very good players. They weren’t silly to have bought them, but they were silly to have bought them, given the systems they were going to play them in.
“So that’s the issue for United. Hojlund is another example of a quality player who did not get given the right chances, or they didn’t persevere with him long enough at United to let him prove himself.”
Earlier, we reported that Napoli are planning to sign Manchester United loanee Rasmus Højlund on a permanent deal when his loan ends at the end of the season. That interest shows how much his reputation has grown. Meanwhile, Christian Eriksen discussed the change in Højlund from Manchester United to Napoli. He said Højlund now looks sharper, freer, and far more confident than before.
Missteps and missed chances define United’s loss
Both Højlund and McTominay failed to succeed at Manchester United
Both Højlund and McTominay failed to succeed at Manchester United
Neither Højlund nor McTominay reached their peak at Manchester United, and several reasons explain that. Højlund’s £72 million move carried huge expectations, but he often played alone. United’s slow build-up play failed to support his quick runs into space.
It left him frustrated and ineffective. Coaches told him to drop deep at times, which did not suit his game. The lack of steady service and tactical clarity slowly broke his confidence. Meanwhile, McTominay’s story followed a similar path.
Despite his effort and moments of quality, he failed to keep a regular place in the team. Constant managerial changes and new signings unsettled him. Shifting tactics pushed him away from his best position as a box-to-box midfielder. The atmosphere at United blocked long-term player growth. Both players paid the price.
Now, in Italy, both have regained what they lost: purpose, belief, and confidence. McTominay even earned a Ballon d’Or nomination, showing how far he has come. The real lesson for United lies in patience and smarter player use. The club keep losing players who thrive elsewhere. Højlund’s transformation should remind them of what they continue to get wrong.